Piece counting system

ABSTRACT

A piece counting system for determining the number of pieces in a lot by recurrently advancing a counter circuit from a predetermined starting count to coincidence with a digital signal that represents the weight of a known number of said pieces and by supplying a quotient signal each time coincidence is reached until the summation of counts that the counter circuit has been advanced by becomes equal to or greater than a digital signal representing the weight of the unknown number of pieces.

United States Patent 1191 Gray Feb. 13, 1973.

PIECE COUNTING SYSTEM Alden J. Gray, Wallingford, Vt.

Howe Richardson Scale Company, Clifton, NJ.

April 1, 1971 Inventor:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

[1.8. CI. ..235/l5l.33, 177/25, 177/200 Int. Cl. ..G01g 19/413 Field of Search ..235/151.33; 177/25, 200

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,552,511 Marcheso et al. ..235/l51.33 X

Primary Examiner-Eugene G. Botz Assistant Examiner-R. Stephen Dildine, Jr. Attorney-WilliamA. Strauch et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A piece counting system for determining the number of pieces in a lot by recurrently advancing a counter circuit from a predetermined starting count to coincidence with a digital signal that represents the weight of a known number of said pieces and by supplying a quotient signal each time coincidence is reached until the summation of counts that the counter circuit has been advanced by becomes equal to or greater than a digital signal representing the weight of the unknown number of pieces.

20 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures POWER I OFF MOTION DETECTOR ZERO ADJUST PATENTED rte 1 3191s SHEET UlUF 11 woEmm o moGmEc 29.52

. INV EN'IOII ALDEN J; GRAY PATENTED FEB 1 31913 SHEET CU HF 11 tll .E as 2. 5 5o Ea 8 83:

8 553 V 1 8 8 :Bfi i TBS wt a 1/ w Q E o! 0 mo N: ON

& mQEmEEoo ATTORNEYS PATENTED FEB] a ma SHEET 07 8F 11 N ED v E V630 mm: 8

N! 52.5 mmofi $2 mmwwE wizw m 805 meow 20Gb:

mwhzaoo ma ma mmv PATENTED FEBI 3 I973 SHEET OBUF 1 INVENTOI ALDEN J GRAY ATTORNEYS 5:00 2.65 =zo w PAIEN EMEM 3,716,706

SHEET llU F 1'1 Fla/2 SAMPLE WEIGHT DATA FROM COUNTERS l50a l54u INVENTORS ISLDEN J. GRAY Maw/WW PIECE COUNTING SYSTEM FIELD OF INVENTION is determined by placing the lot on one scale and by placing a sample piece on another scale. The piece counting system is responsive to the weights on the two scales to provide a determination of the number of pieces in a gross lot.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION One of the major objects of this invention is to provide a novel piece counting system which .employs digital techniques to accurately determine the number of pieces in a gross lot in response to the weight of the gross lot and the weight of a known number of the pieces in a sample lot. The pieces to be counted by such a counting system are required to have substantially identical weights.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel piece counting system in which the number of pieces in a gross lot is determined by a digital comparison technique.

The preceding object is accomplished by comparing the weight of one or more pieces in a sample lot with an output supplied by a first counter circuit, by advancing the first counter circuit with counts until comparison with the sample lot weight is achieved, by providing a second counter circuit which counts in the same number of counts counted in by the first counter circuit, by continuously comparing the output of the second counter circuit with the weight of the gross lot, by periodically resetting the first counter circuit to cyclically repeat the comparison between the output of the first counter circuit and the weight of the sample as long as the output of the second counter circuit is not equal to or greater than the weight of the gross lot, by supplying a quotient count signal each time coincidence is achieved between the output of the first counter circuit and the weight of the sample lot, by counting the number of supplied-quitient count signals for a read-out, by enabling the second counter circuit to count in a summation of all of the counts that are counted in by the first counter, and by terminating the count-compare cyclic operation when the output of the second counter circuit becomes equal to or greater than the weight of the gross lot. This circuitry provides for rapid and reliable counting.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the count-compare circuit of this invention has the mathematical effect of dividing the weight of the gross lot by the weight of the sample lot and that the number of quotient count signals isclosely proportional to the quotient of the foregoing division. In effect, a digital representation of the weight of the sample lot is repeatedly and additively loaded into the second counter circuit until the output'of the second countercircuit becomes equal to or greater than the weight of the gross lot, and each time the loading of the sample lot digital representation is completed a quotient count signal is produced.

The counting system of this invention also includes a gross weight scale for supplying the weight of the pieces in the gross lot and a sample weight scale for supplying the weight of the piece or pieces in the sample lot. Load cells or other suitable transducers at the gross and sample scales develop analog or other signals that are respectively functions of the weights of the gross and sample lots. The analog signals are conditioned and then converted into separate gross and sample digital signals, and the gross and sample digital signals are stored for application in the previously described comparison operations.

According to another object of this invention, the number of pieces in the sample lot may selectively be varied, and the counting system of this invention may selectively be programmed to accommodate the selected number of sample pieces that are placed by an operator on the sample scale. For example, the programming may accommodate any one of the following numbers of sample pieces: 1, 2, 5, i0, 20 and 100. The operator selects from this group of numbers the number of sample pieces to be placed on the sample scale, and he then positions a multi-position sample quantity selector switch to a position corresponding to the selected number of sample pieces that are placed on the sample scale. This sample quantity selector switch programs the selected sample pieces into a quotient count register which contains the circuitry for counting the previously described quotient count signals. The quotient count register has the mathematical effect of multiplying the number of counted quotient count signals by the number to which the sample quantity selector switch is set. As a result, the information read out of the quotient count register will be equivalent to the number of pieces on the gross scale or, in accordance with another object of this invention, to the total number of pieces on both the gross scale and the sample scale.

In accomplishing the last mentioned object of this invention, a switch is selectively actuable to preset or pre-load thequotient count register with a number of counts that is equivalent to the number selected on the sample quantity selector switch. Then when the quotient count signals are supplied as a result of the previously mentioned count-compare cycles, they will be added to the number of counts that were preset into the quotient count register.

According to another featureof this invention, the counting system is capable of repeatedly up-dating the piece count as pieces are loaded onto the gross scale. Furthermore, logic is provided to recycle the entire counting operation either selectively or in response to various conditions such as readjustment of the sample quantity selector switch during a counting cycle or detection of motion of the sample scale platform. The logic mentioned above also includes circuitry that prevents an unintentional division by zero.

In addition to the foregoing, the data representing the weight of pieces on the gross scale, the data representing the weight of the pieces on the sample scale and the data representing the piece count are electrically stored in the counting system of this invention in such a manner that they may selectively and in dividually be read-out in either visual or printed form.

Furthermore, a switching arrangement is provided in the counting system of this invention to selectively provide for either a tared or an un-tared read-out of the According to another object of this invention onlyone analog-to-digital converter is employed for converting the analog weight-representing signals from both the gross scale and the sample scale-This is accomplished by a time sharing and switching circuit arrangement which enables the converter to alternatively and cyclically sample the two analog signals from the gross and sample scales respectively.

In the following description a logic or logical l or a high designates a positive d.c. signal voltage such as, for' example, +5v. A logic or logical or a low" designates a substantially zero d.c. signal voltage. The disclosure herein assumes positive logic purely for the purposeof description. Also, unused terminals for the illustrated components in the system of this invention are connected to proper logic source states.

Further objects of this invention will appear as the description proceeds in connection with the appended claims and below-described drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially diagrammatic view of a piece counting system incorporating the principles of,this invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the control and computing circuit which is housed in the cabinet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the gross and sample count registers illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the time sharing switching circuit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the divider control and comparing circuit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the divider control circuit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the control logic circuit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the quotient count register shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the most significant digits count register shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the sample quantity preset circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG..ll is a circuit diagram of the data selector circuit shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of the interlock circuit shown in FIG. 11.

In the annexed drawings, certain NAND gates are shown to have both inputs connected to a common conductor. Such NAND gates, it will be appreciated, simply act as inverters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 the counting system incorporating the principles of this invention basically comprises a gross weight scale 20, a sample weight scale 22, and a control and computing circuit 24 (FIG. 2) that may be housed in a cabinet 26. A printer 28 or other data collection system may also be included to provide a record of the read-out.

Briefly, the number of pieces or parts in a gross lot is calculated by placing a pre-selected number of the parts on sample scale 22 and by placing the gross lot of parts to be counted on gross scale 20. Control and computing circuit 24, when activated, is responsive to the respective weights of the sample and gross lots to provide a digital read-out of the number of parts in the gross lot on gross scale 20. Alternatively, circuit 24 may selectively be conditioned to provide a digital read-out of the total number of parts in both the gross lot andthe sample lot-on the gross and sample scales respectively. The read-out of the number of parts may be displayed by a visual digital translator and display device 32 (see FIG. 1) and optionally printed by printer 28.

Cabinet 26 has a control panel 34, and the controls on control panel 34 comprise a gross scale zero adjust knob 40, a sample scale zero adjust knob 42, a power on/off pushbutton switch 44, a tare adjust knob 46, a tare set switch 48, four data read-out pushbutton selector switches 50, 51, 52, and 53, a yes/no include sample pushbutton selector switch 56, a print pushbutton switch 58, a sample scale motion detector override pushbutton switch 60, a gross scale motion detector override pushbutton switch 62, a reset pushbutton switch 64, and a start-interlock pushbutton switch 65.

Gross scale zero adjust knob 40 is selectively manipulatable to adjust for the dead load of gross scale 20 Sample scale zero adjust knob 42 is selectively manipulatable to adjust for the dead load of sample scale 22. Power switch 44 is selectively actuatable to turn the power on and off for selected components in the system. Data selector switches 50, 51, 52, and 53 are selectively actuatable to provide a read-out of the following data in digital form on display device 32:

Switch 50: The weight of the load on gross scale 20 less any tare weight as determined by the setting of tare adjust knob 46.

Switch 51: The total weight of the load placed on sample scale 22.

Switch 52: The piece count; i.e., the number of parts in the gross lot on gross scale 20 or the number of parts in both the gross and sample lots on scales 20 and 22, depending upon the setting of switch 54.

Switch 53: When actuated in conjunction with switch 50 the total weight on gross scale 20 will be displayed regardless of the tare setting on knob 46.

Switch 54 is utilized to program circuit 24 to either count in or not count in the number of pieces in the sample lot on the sample scale. Switch 56 is used to program into circuit 24 the number of pieces in the sample lot on the sample scale. In this embodiment the numbers that can be programmed into circuit 24 are l, 2,5, 10,20and 100.

With regard to switches 54 and 56, the pieces to be counted frequently are put in a tote bin or other form of container that is placed on gross scale 20. One type of operation requires that the operator remove the sample pieces from the tote bin to make up the sample lot that is placed on sample scale 22. If the pieces are to be returned to the tote bin after a counting operation,

they must then be counted along with the pieces on gross scale 20. Under such conditions, the operator selects a number of pieces corresponding to the number that can be programed into circuit 24 by switch 56. For example, if five pieces are selected to make up the sample lot, switch 56 is turned to its position corresponding to the number five. In addition, switch 54 is actuated to program circuit 24 to include in the display or printed record of the piece count the number corresponding to the setting of switch 56 so that the count that is read out will be the sum of the pieces on gross scale 20 and sample scale 22 respectively.

In other operations it may not be desired to include the number of pieces on the sample scale in the readout count. For such operations, switch 54 is actuated to program circuit 24 not to count in the number of pieces corresponding to the setting on switch 56. For example, some operations require a series of tote bins to be successively filled, thus requiring a representative sample to be left on scale 22. Each tote bin is placed on scale 22 and is then filled until the display indicated by device 32 equals the number of desired pieces in a lot. In this instance, the sample pieces remain on sample scale 22 and are not included in the counted lot on gross scale 20.

Print switch 58 is actuated to activate printer 28 and to thereby start a print cycle to print out the data selected by operation of switches 50-53. Reset switch 64 is actuatable to re-start the counting cycle at any time. Start-interlock switch 65 is utilized to override a minimum weight interlock on sample scale 22. Normally, the counting system will be interlocked so that a count cycle will not start until a weight is placed on sample scale 22 as will be described in greater detail later on.

Switch 60 is actuatable to override a motion detection control that normally prevents a count cycle from starting if sample scale 22 has not stabilized. Actuation of switch 62 performs the same function as applied to gross scale 20.

Tare set knob 46 is utilized to set into circuit 24 the tare weight of a tote bin or other parts container on gross scale 20. The effect of this adjustment is to tare out the weight of the parts container. Preferably the tare control comprising knob 46 and switch 48 corresponds to that disclosed in FIG. 8A of pending application Serial No. 58,259 filed on July 27, 1970 for Electrical Weighing Systems" and assigned to the same assignee of this application. With this type of tare adjustment, switch 48 may be actuated to display at device 32 the tare setting established by adjustment of knob 46.

Scales 20 and 22 are provided with suitable loadreceiving structures such as platforms 70 and 72 respectively. Platform 70 may be supported by a series of four conventional load cells 72 (two shown) which are arranged one at each of the four corners of the platform. Platform 70 is arranged to receive the gross lot of pieces to be weighed or a container containing the gross lot of pieces to be weighed. Each of the load cells 74 may be of the conventional silicon or resistance strain gauge type and is excited by a suitable d.c. power supply source indicated at 76'. It will be appreciated that the algebraic summation of the load cell output signal voltages of load cells 74 will be proportional to the weight of platform as well as weight of the load placed on platform 70. Alternatively, platform 70 may be supported on a suitable, unshown lever mechanism which, in turn, is connected to a single unshown load cell that produces a d.c. signal voltage which is proportional to the dead load of scale 20 and the weight of the load applied thereto.

Sample scale 22 also is provided with a transducer assembly for developing an electrical signal which is a function of the load applied to the sample scale plat form'72. In this embodiment, the transducer assembly for scale 22 is the same as that described for scale 20, and the load cells (two shown) supporting platform 72 at the comers thereof are indicated at 75. Cells 75 are activated by a power supply source 76'. In place of load cells 75, platform 72 may be supported on a suitable unshown lever mechanism which, in turn, is connected to a single unshown load cell that produces a d.c. signal voltage which is proportional to the dead load of scale 22 and the weight of the load applied thereto. It also will be appreciated that transducers other than load cells may be utilized to provide electrical signals that are functions of the weights of the loads applied to scales 20 and 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, control and computer circuit 24 basically comprises a gross scale analog conditioner and amplifier circuit 76, a sample scale analog conditioner and amplifier circuit 78, an analog-to-digital converter 80, a gross weight count register 86, a sample weight count register 88, a divider control and comparator circuit 90, a quotient count register 92, a data selection control circuit 94, and a selector circuit 96 which incorporates pushbuttons 50-53.

Conditioner and amplifier circuit 76 is preferably the same as that shown and described in the previously identified application Ser. No. 58,259, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated into this application by reference. Circuit 76 includes an operational amplifier having an input summing junction 96. The outputs of load cells 72 are connected through unshown summing resistors to summing junction 96 where they are algebraically summed.

Since the summed output signal voltage developed by the load cell assembly 20 is proportional to the weight of platform 70 as well as the weight of the load placed on platform 70, a dead weight tare adjustment is provided for by a potentiometer 98 having a movable wiper or arm 100 which is mechanically connected to knob 40 for adjustment along a resistor 102. Resistor 102 is connected across a suitable source of d.c. power as shown. The d.c. signal voltage impressed on wiper 100 is applied to summing junction 96. The dead weight potientiometer signal voltage will be opposite in sign to the like signs of the output signal voltages developed by load cells 72. Wiper 100 is adjusted to offset or tare out the weight of the scale parts acting on the load cell assembly to thereby provide a substantially zero signal voltage condition at the output of circuit 76 when no load is on platform 70. Thus, the amplified d.c. signal voltage supplied atthe output of circuit 76 will be proportional to the load placed on platform 70.

Conditioner and amplifier circuit 78 is preferably the same as circuit 76, like reference numerals suffixed by the letter a being applied to designate the circuit components associated with circuit 78. As shown, the outputs of load cells 75 are connected through unshown summing resistors to summing junction 96a where they are algebraically summed.

As described in connection with scale 20, the d.c. output signal voltages developed by load cells 75 will be proportional to the load applied to platform 72 and also the weight of platform 72 and any other scale parts acting on the assembly of load cells 75. Scale 22 is therefore provided with a dead weight tare adjustment comprising a potientiometer 106 which is the same as the potientiometer 98; like reference numerals suffixed by the letter a" being applied to designate like components in potientiometer 106.

The d.c. signal voltage impressed on wiper 100a is applied to summing junction 96a along with the signal voltages developed by load cells 75. Wiper 100a is mechanically connected to knob 42. The signal voltage applied by potientiometer 106 to summing junction 96a will be opposite in sign to the like signs of the signal voltages applied by load cells 75 to summing junction 96a. Wiper 100a is adjusted to offset or tare out the weight of scale parts acting on the assembly of load cells 75 to thereby provide a substantially zero signal voltage at the output of circuit 78. Thus, the d.c. signal voltage at the output of circuit 78 will be proportional to the weight of the load placed on platform 72 of sample scale 22.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the tare adjustment associated with gross scale comprises a potientiometer 110 having a wiper or arm 112 which is mechanically connected to knob 46 for adjustment along a resistor 114. Resistor 114 is connected across a suitable source of d.c. power as shown. The d.c. signal voltage on wiper 112 is applied through switch 53 to summing junction 96 with a polarity that is the same as that of the signal voltage supplied by potientiometer .98. Thus, by adjustment of potientiometer 110, the output signal voltage developed by circuit 76 may selectively be reduced by a magnitude corresponding -to the weight of a tote bin or other parts container on platform 70. The output signal voltage developed by circuit 76 will therefore be proportional to the weight of pieces placed in a parts container on platform 70 of the gross scale 20.

As described in detail in the previously identified copending application Ser. No. 59,259, switch 53, when in its illustrated position, electrically connects wiper 112 to summing junction 96 with the result that the output signal developed by circuit 76 will be proportional to the weight of pieces in a container on platform 70. By selectively actuating switch 53 to its unillustrated position potientiometer 112 will be electrically disconnected from summing junction 96 to remove the tare signal voltage developed by potientiometer 110 from summing junction 96. As a result, the output signal voltage developed by circuit 76 will be the gross weight or, more particularly, the sum of the weights of the container and the parts in the container on platform 70.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the amplified and conditioned signal voltages developed'by circuits 76 and 78 are applied to input terminals of time sharing device 82. Time sharing device 82 is actuated to alternatively and periodically connect the outputs of circuits 76 and 78 to the input of a filter 120. In this embodiment, device 82 is schematically illustrated to comprise a switch or relay contact arrangement 124 having a switch element 126 which is alternatively engagable with the input terminals that are indicated at 128. When switch element 126 is actuated to its illustrated position, the output of circuit 76 is electrically connected to input of filter 120, and when switch element 126 is actuated to its unillustrated position, the output of circuit 78 will be electrically connected to the input of filter 120. Thus, in one position of switch element 126, the amplified and conditioned signal voltage developed by circuit 76 will be applied to the input of filter 120, and in the other position of switch element 126, the conditioned and amplified output signal voltage developed by circuit 78 will be applied to the input of filter 120. in practice, time sharing device 82 may comprise any suitable form of switching circuit for accomplishing the foregoing functions. Time sharing device 82 enables a single analog-to-digital converter (as indicated at 80) to be time shared between scales 20 and 22. Thus, converter 80 is utilized to convert the d.c. analog signal voltages of both circuit 76 and circuit The weight-representing, conditioned and amplified d.c. signal voltage at the output of time sharing device 82 is serially applied through filter and switch 48 to the input of converter 80. Filter 120 is desirable of the low pass type having good transient response to a step input to develop a filtered d.c. output signal voltage that is substantially free of a.c. components that might interfere with accurate weight measurements.

When switch 48 is in its illustrated, unactuated position it electrically connects the output of filter 120 to the data input of converter 80, thus applying the amplified, conditioned and filtered weight-representing signal voltage to the input of converter 80 for conversion into a digital signal as will be described in greater detail shortly. When switch 48 is actuated to its unillustrated position, it electricall disconnects the data input of converter 80 from the output of filter 120 and electrically'connects the input of converter 80 through an unshown amplifier network directly to wiper l 12 of potientiometer 110. This unshown amplified network is described in detail in co-pending application Ser. No. 58,295. Thus, when switch 48 is actuated to its unillustrated position, the output digital signals developed by converter 80 will represent the selected setting of potientiometer 110.

With switch 48 in its illustrated position, the conditioned, amplified, load cell-developed signal voltage at the output of filter 120 is, as previously described, applied to the input of converter 80. Converter 80 may be this any suitable, appropriate form for producing a digital signal or representation that is a function of the voltage level of the d.c. signal voltage applied to its data input. in this embodiment, the digital signal is in the form of a recurrent pulse stream or train of constant repetition frequency (i.e., equal time separation between pulses). The number of pulses in each pulse train is proportional to the voltage level of the d.c. signal voltage applied to the input of converter 80 at a time when the analog input signal is sampled.

A sample rate trigger circuit 136 produces a recurrent trigger signal (such as a saw tooth signal voltage) of constant repetition rate which is applied to r the analog-to-digital conversion network of converter 80. Trigger circuit 136 may be regarded as part of converter 80, and in response to each trigger signal, converter 80 samples the dc. signal voltage applied to the input of converter 80. Converter 80 translates each sampled analog or d.c. signal into a series of pulses of equal time separation, and as mentioned above, the number of pulses in each series will be proportional to the voltage level of the signal applied to the input of the converter. The repetition rate of the trigger signal determines the rate at which the analog signal is sampled.

Converter 80 may be of the typedescribed in the previously mentioned application Ser. No. 58,259 or it may particularly be of the dual ramp type described in co-pending application Ser. No. 58,260 filed on July 27, 1970 for Electrical Weighing System and assigned to the assignee of this application. The disclosure of US application Ser. No. 58,260 is hereby incorporated into this specification by reference.

The digital data output pin of converter 80 is connected by lines 142 and 144 respectively to the data input pins of registers 86 and 88. Thus, the digital output of converter 80 is applied to both the gross weight count register 86 and the sample weight count register 88, but the supplied digital data will be memorized in only one or the other of the count registers under the control of a switching circuit 140 which also controls operation of the time-sharing switch element 1126.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the gross weight count register comprises a multi-decade pulse counter with a BCD memory and is preferably the same as that disclosed in either application Ser. No. 58,259 or'application Ser. No. 58,260. As shown, the counter circuit of register 86 comprises a series of conventional BCD electronic decade counter 150, 151, 152, 153 and 154 each having a four-bit, 8-4-2-1 BCD output. These outputs of counters 150-154 represent a multi-decimal number in which the order proceeds from the most significant digit at counter 150 to the least significant digit at counter 154. Counters 150-154 advantageously are of the monolithic type SN 7490. I

Each of the counters 150-154 will automatically reset when a signal level at its eight pin changes from a high (a logical l) to a low (a logical at the tenth pulse. With the illustrated connections, counters 154, 153, 152 and 151 will transfer the count of l to the next suceeding counter for every ten counts coming into the counter.

As shown, the data output of converter 80 is connected by line 142 to the data input pin of counter 154 which represents the least significant digit. it will be appreciated that the number of counters employed in the counter circuit will depend upon the number of decades that are desired in the number to be displayed or printed.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the BCD memory in count register 86 is provided by a latch network comprising a series of BCD data word storage or memory latches 156, 157, 158, 159 and 160, one for each of the counters 150-154. Latches 156-160 advantageously are of the four-bit quad type SN 7475, each having four storage devices for storing a four-bit data word and the complement thereof. For this purpose each of the four storage devices in each latch have a Q and 0 output. Each storage device also has a data input pin and a memory or latch pin. The data words to be stored in latches 156-160 are supplied by counters 150-154 respectively.

A latching signal line 162 connects one output of switching circuit 140 to the latch pins of each of the latches 156-160. At the end of each analog-to-digital conversion of the sampled load cell-developed signal from gross scale 20 that is at the end of each pulse train providing a measure of the weight on gross scale 20 converter 80 supplies a latching signal of the proper logical state to switching circuit 140. Whenever switching circuit 140 applies a converter-developed latch signal over line 162 to latches 156-160, whatever signal states that are present on the data input pins of latches 156-160 will be transferred to and stored on the 0 output pins of the latches, and the complements thereof will be stored on the 6 output pins of the latches. Old data information on the output pins of latches 156-160 will automatically be removed upon the transfer of the new information to the latch output pins.

As shown, the outputs of counter 150-154 are connected in parallel to latches 156-160 respectively. The

data information in counters 150-154 is therefore transferred in parallel to latches 156-160 respectively. Latches 156-160 memorize or store this information when the proper latching logical state is supplied to line 162 as describe above.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the circuit for the sample weight count register 88 is the same as that just described for count register 86. Accordingly, like reference numerals suffixed by the letter a have been applied to designate like components in sample count register 88. Another latch signal output of switching circuit 140 is connected by a line 162a to the latch pins of each of the latches 156a-160a. Whenever switching circuit 140 applies a converter-produced latch signal over line 162a to latches 156a-160a, the data words at the input pins of latches 156a-160a will be transferred to and stored at the output pins of the latches.

The Q output pins of latches 156-160 are connected in parallel to circuit 90, and the Q output pins of latches 156a-160a also are connected in parallel to circuit 90 for a purpose to be described in detail later on. The Q output pins of latches 156-160 and the 0 output pins of latches 156a-160a also are connected in parallel to data select control circuit 94 to enable the weight information stored in count registers 86 and 88 to be separately read out in visual or printed form by actuation of switches 50 and 51.

To reset counter 150-154 and 150a-154a, the trigger pulse from trigger circuit 136 may be applied through a shaping circuit simultaneously to the reset pins of the counters.

Referring now to FIG. 4, switching circuit 140 correlates the application of latch signals to lines 162 and 162a with the operation of switch element 126. As shown, circuit 140 comprises a flip flop 170, a buffer and relay driver 172, a relay 174 for operating element 126, and a pair of AND gates 176 and 178. Converter 80 has a latch signal supply pin which is connected to one input of gate 176, to one input of gate 178, and through an inverter to the CP input pin of flip flop 170. The Q output of flip flop 170 is connected to the input of relay driver 172 and to the other input of gate 178. The 6 output pin of flip flop 170 is connected to the other input of gate 176. The output of gates 176 and 178 are respectively connected to lines 162 and 1620. The output of AND gate 176 is therefore connected to supply a latching signal to latches 156-160, and the output of gate 178 is connected to supply a latching signal to latches 156a -160a.

Converter 80 is of the type that will supply a latching pulse at its latch supply pin after each conversion or, more particularly, after each weight-representing pulse train is developed and supplied at the output of the converter. Each of the converter-produced latch pulses is applied to AND gates 176 and 178, and each latch pulse is inverted and the inversion is applied to the CP pin of flip flop 170 which is advantageously of the SN 7474 type. With the circuit connections shown for this type of flip flop, the logical state on the Q and 6 output pins of flip flop 170 will be reversed on the trailing edge of the inverted latch pulse that is applied to the CP input pin.

Switch element 126 will be actuated to its illustrated gross weight position by relay 174 when the signal condition on the Q output pin of flip flop 170 is low or a logical.0. Thus, gate 178 will be disa bled. Gate 176 will be enabled by the logical l on the Q output pin of flip flop 170 so that when converter 80 applies the next latching pulse it will be applied through gate 176 to line 162 and from line 162 to latches 156-160. Upon receiving the trailing edge of the conversion of this converter-produced latching pulse, flip flop 170 will be toggled to place a logical 1 on its Q output pin and a logical 0 on its Q output pin. Gate 176 will now be disabled, but only after the latching pulse'has been applied to line 162. In addition, gate 178 will be enabled, and in response to the logical l at the Q output pin of flip flop 170, rela'y 174 will actuate switch element 126 to its unillustrated sample weight position where it connects circuit 78 to the data input converter 80.

The next converter-produced latching pulse will now be applied through gate 178 to line 162a and from there to latches 156a-160a. The trailing edge of the inversion of this latching pulse will switch the output logical states of flip flop 170 to plac e a logical 0 on the Q output pin and a logical l on the 0 output pin.

it will be observed that trigger circuit 136 will supply a trigger pulse shortly after each converter-produced latching pulse, and this trigger pulse will reset all of the counters 150-154 and l50a-154a as well as causing converter 80 to sample the analog signal at its data input.

in operation of the counting system thus fa described, power is applied to activate the system by selectively actuating switch 44. Upon being activated, circuit 76 will supply an analog signal volta'ge that is proportional to the weight of the pieces in the gross lot on gross scale 20, and circuit 78 will develop an output analog signal voltage that is proportional to the piece or pieces in the sample lot on sample scale 22. These sample and gross signal voltages are applied concomitantly to the input terminals of time sharing device 82, and

they will alternately be applied to the input of converter 80 under the control of switching circuit 140.

Assume that the preceding latch pulse converterproduced latch pulse caused switching circuit 140 to actuate switch element 126 to its illustrated position where it electrically connects the output of circuit 78 through filter to the data input of converter 80. Thus, in response to the next trigger signal supplied by trigger circuit 136, counters 150-154 and 150a-154a will be reset to zero. in addition, converter 80 will sample the voltage representing the weight of the pieces on gross scale 20 and will convert the sampled signal voltage into a pulse train in which the number of pulses is proportional to the level of the sampled signal voltage and consequently to the weight of the pieces in the gross lot on gross scale 20. This gross weight pulse train is supplied to both count registers 86 and 88, and hence the number of pulses in the train will be counted in by both sets of counters in registers 86 and 88.

The pulse count loaded into the set of counters 150-154 and into the set of counters l50a-154a will both be representative of the weight of the pieces on gross scale 20. Hence the BCD data information supplied by counters 150-154 to the data input pins of latches 156-160 will represent the weight of the pieces on gross scale 20. In addition, the same BCD data information will also be supplied by counters 150a-l54a to the data input pins of latches 156a-160a.

At the end of the generation of the gross weight pulse train and before the next trigger signal from trigger circuit 136, converter 80 will supply a latch pulse to switching'circuit 140. This latch pulse will be applied to line 162, but not to line 162a, since gates 176 and 178 are, at this stage, respectively enabled and disabled. As a result, only latches 150-154 will be activated to transfer the BCD data information at their data input pins and to store the transferred information at their data output pins.

The trailing edge of the same latch pulse that caused latches 156-160 to store the BCD data information supplied by counters 150-154, also causes switching circuit to activate switch element 126 to its unillustrated position where it electrically connects circuit 78 to the data input of converter 80 in place of circuit 76.

Thus, in response to the next trigger signal from trigger circuit 136, counters -154 and 15011-15411 will again be reset to zero, and converter 80 will sample the sample weight signal voltage at its input to supply another pulse train in which the number of pulses now are proportional to the piece or pieces in the sample lot on sample scale 22. By resetting counters 150-154 and l50a-154a to zero, the gross weight data information in both sets of counters is removed, but the gross weight information will remain stored on the output pins oflatches 156-160.

Both sets of counters 150-154 and l50a-l54a will now count in the number of pulses in the sample weight pulse train, and at the end of the sample weight pulse train and before the next trigger signal, converter 80 supplies another latch pulse to switching circuit 140. This latch pulse will be applied to line 162a, but not to line 162 since gates 178 and 176 are now respectively enabled and disabled.

Therefore, latches 156a-160a but not latches 156-160 will be activated to transfer the same weight BCD data information from its input pins to its output pins and to store the transferred information at its output pins. At this stage, therefore, the weight of the pieces on gross scale will be stored in BCD form on the output pins of latches 156-160, and the weight of the piece or pieces in the sample lot on sample scale 22 will be stored in BCD form on the output pins of latches 156a-160a. In addition, the trailing edge of the last of the above mentioned converter-produced latch pulses will cause switching circuit 140 to actuate switch element 126 to its illustrated position where it connects circuit 76 to converter 80 in place of circuit 78.

The foregoing cycle is continually repeated as long as the system is activated so that the BCD data information on the output pins of latches 156-160 and 156a-160a will continually be updated. Thus, the gross weight analog signal and the sample weight analog signal are alternately and periodically sampled, converted into digital signals and stored on the latch output pins of counter registers 86 and 88 respectively.

With the gross weight information stored on the output pins of latches 156-160, switch 50 may be actuated to digitally display the weight of the pieces in the gross lot on display device 32. Likewise, with the sample weight information stored on the output pins of latches 156a-160a, switch 51 may be actuated to cause device 32 to display the weight of the piece or pieces in the sample lot on the sample scale.

If it is desired to read out the total weight (i.e., the sum of the weights of the container and the pieces) on gross scale 20, switches 50 and 53 are both actuated. By actuating switch 53, the signal voltage developed by potentiometer 110 is removed from summing junction 96, and the signal voltage developed by circuit 76 will therefore become proportional to the sum of the weights of the container on scale 20 and the parts in the container. Thus, the BCD data information transferred to and stored on the output pins of latches 156-160 will become equivalent to the gross weight of the container and pieces on scale 20, and this data will then be decoded and displayed by device 32 upon actuation of switch 50.

If it is desired to display the tare setting of potentiometer 110, switch 48 is actuated to apply the signal voltage on wiper 112 to the input of converter 80 in place of the output signal voltage from filter 120. The potentiometer developed signal voltage will therefore be sampled, digitized, counted in, and finally stored on the output pins of latches 156-160 as well as latches 156a-160a in the same manner as described for the sample weight and gross weight signals. Thus, when switch 50 is actuated the number displayed by device 32 will be the setting of potentiometer 110 in terms of units of weight. It also will be appreciated that any of the numbers displayed by device 32 may be printed out by printer 28 to provide a printed record by providing in control 94 suitable switching elements or logic under the control of switch 58.

Referring to FIG. 5, circuit 90 comprises a dividercomparator circuit 200, a divider control circuit 202, and a control logic circuit 204. Comparator circuit 200 includes a sample weight count-comparator network 206 and a gross weight count-comparator network 208.

Gross weight network 208 comprises a series of BCD decade counters 210, 211, 213, 214, 215, 216 and 217 and a series ofa BCD comparators 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, and 226. Sample weight network 206 comprises a series of BCD comparators 236, 237, 238, 239 and 240.

As will be explained in detail shortly, circuit effectively performs a dividing function to supply a train of pulses in which the number is proportional to the weight of pieces in the gross lot on scale 20 divided by the weight of the piece or pieces on sample scale 22. In brief, this is accomplished as follows: Divider control circuit 202 sequentially gates a clock pulse train from control logic circuit 204 to the counter for each decade in network 206. Simultaneously, the clock pulses are fed to corresponding counters in network 208 to be summed up to the gross weight stored on the output pins of latches 156-160. In response to control pulses from sample-count network 206, divider control circuit 202, shifts the clock pulse train from one decade to the next starting with the most significant digit in the sample weight. The clock pulses supplied through divider control circuit 202 are counted and continuously compared with the latched weight information in networks 206 and 208. The comparison with the sample weight information supplied by latches 156a-160a is done decade by decade, starting with the most significant digit as mentioned above. The comparators in network 206 each supply one of the control signals to circuit 202 to shift the clock pulses to the counter representing the next least or lower digit. The comparison with the gross weight information supplied by latches 156-160 is done at network 208 by comparing the counted clock pulses with the gross weight information, and when the comparison indicates that the total number of counted in clock pulses becomes equal or greater than the gross weight data supplied by latches 156-160, network 208 supplies an end-of-count signal which terminates the counting operation and consequently the application of piece count-representing pulses to quotient count register 92.

As shown in FIG. 5, comparators 220-224 and 236-240 may be of the DM 8200 type for comparing two four-bit BCD data words. Counters 210-217 and 230-234 may be of the SN 7490 type.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the four data outputs of latch 156a are connected in parallel to one input comparison side of comparator 236. The four data outputs of counter 230 are connected in parallel to the other input comparison side of comparator 236. The four data outputs of latch 157a are connected to one input side of comparator 237, and the four data outputs of counter 231 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 237. The four data outputs of latch 158a are connected in parallel to one input side of comparator 238, and the four data outputs of counter 232 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 238. The four data outputs of latch 159a are connected in parallel to one input side of comparator 239, and the four data outputs of counter 233 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 239. The four data outputs of latch 160a are connected in parallel to one input side of comparator 240, and the four data outputs of counter 234 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 240. The four data outputs of latch 156 are connected in parallel to one input side of comparator 220, and the four data outputs of counter 210 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 220. The four data outputs of latch 157 are connected in parallel to one input side of comparator 221, and the four data outputs of counter 21 1 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 221. The four data outputs of latch 158 are connected in parallel to one input side of comparator 222, and the four data outputs of counter 212 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 222. The four data outputs of latch 159 are connected in parallel to one input side of comparator 223, and the four data outputs of counter 213 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 223. The four data outputs of latch 160 are connected in parallel to one input side of comparator 224, and the four data outputs of counter 214 are connected in parallel to the other input side of comparator 224.

Thus, it is clear that comparator 236 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 156a and counter 230, that comparator 237 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 157a and counter 231, that comparator 238 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 158a and counter 232, that comparator 239 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 159a and counter 233, that comparator 240 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 160a and counter 234, that comparator 220 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 156 and counter 210, that comparator 221 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 157 and counter 211, that comparator 222 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 158 and counter 212, that comparator 223 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 159 and counter 213, and that comparator 224 compares the two four-bit data words respectively supplied by latch 160 and counter 214.

Each of the comparators 220-224 and 236-240 has a Y output pin and X output pin. When the data word supplied by the associated latch is greater than the data word supplied by the associated one of counters 220-224 and 230-234 the signal at the comparator X output pin will be high or a logical l, and the signal at the comparator Y output pin will be low or a logical 0. When a sufficient number of pulses are counted into the associated counter so that the data word supplied by the associated one of counters 210-214 and 230-234 equals the data word supplied by the associated latch, then the signals at both of the comparator X and Y output pins will be high or a logical 1.

When the data word supplied by the associated one of counters 210-214 and 230-234 becomes greater than the data word supplied by the associated latch, then the signal at the comparator Y output pin will be high or a logical l and the signal at the comparator X output pin will be a low or a logical 0.

The purpose of counters 215-217, as will be described in greater detail shortly, relates to the different capacities of scales 20 and 22. In practice, the capacity of gross scale 20 is normally considerably greater than that of sample scale 22. For example, sample scale 22 may have a capacity of 20 pounds, and gross scale 20 may have a capacity of 10,000 pounds.

With the circuit of this embodiment a five decade decimal number in units of weight is read out for both of the scales 20 and 22. Thus, the most significant digit in the read-out for gross scale 20 will be in the tenthousands decade, while the most significant digit in the read-out for sample scale 22 will be in the tens decade. Thus, counters 215-217 are utilized to extend the counter decades in network 208 to correspond with the lowest decade in network 206 and to provide the necessary means for counting into network 208 all of the clock pulses counted by network 206.

Counters 215-217 thus count in the number of pulses that are counted in by counters 232-234, and counters 232-234 are utilized in the comparison of the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths decades of the five decade sample weight number. Counters 210-217 are connected to form an eight decade counter. With the illustrated connections, each of the counters 217, 216, 215, 214, 213, 212, and 211 will transfer the count of l to the next suceeding counter of higher order (that is, respectively to counters 216, 215, 214, 213, 212, 211 and 210) for every ten counts or pulses coming into the counter. The transfer of the carry counts from counters 217, 216, 215 and 214 to counters 216, 215, 214 and 213 respectively is through gates in divider control circuit 202. Comparison of the number of pulses counted in by counters 215-217 is not required since the comparison of data words starts with the highest order decade in the sample weight number as will be described in detail shortly.

Initially all of the counters in networks 206 and 208 will be reset to zero by signals supplied by control logic circuit 204. When various input signal conditions are satisfied at control logic circuit 204, including the storage of the gross weight data information at the outputs of latches 156-160 and the storage of the sample weight information at the outputs of latches 156a-160 a, a clock pulse train of constant repetition frequency is supplied by logic circuit 204 to an input of divider control circuit 202. Divider control circuit first scans the signal condition at the Y output terminal of comparator 236. Since all of the counters in networks 206 and 208 were reset to zero at the start of the counting and comparison operation, the signal state at the Y output pin of comparator 230 will be low if the data word supplied by latch 156a is greater than zero. This low signal condition at the Y output terminal of comparator 236 conditions divider control circuit to apply the pulses in the clock pulse train simultaneously to counters 213 and 230. As previously mentioned, counter 230 corresponds to the highest order digit in the sample weight number, which for the previously given example, is the tens decade. The number in counter 213 corresponds to the tens decade in the gross weight number.

Upon application of the clock pulse train, counters 213 and 230 will simultaneously count in the clock pulses until comparator 236 detects coincidence or equality between the two data words that are respectively supplied by counter 230 and latch 156a. When these two data words become equal, the signal state at the Y output pin of comparator 236 will change from a low to a high or a logical l.

Divider control circuit 202 is responsive to this logical state at the Y output pin of comparator 236 to disable the supply of clock pulses to counters 213 and 230. As a result, the count-in of pulses by counters 213 and 230 will be stopped, and the data word stored in counters 213 and 230 will be equal to that at the output of latch 156a. 

1. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for developing a first digital signal that is representative of the weight of an unknown number of said pieces in a lot, means for developing a second digital signal that is representative of the weight of a known number of said pieces, means receiving said first and second signals and providing predetermined digital comparisons involving said first and second signals for producing a serial pulse train in which the number of pulses is substantially proportional to the quotient of the weight represented by said first signal divided by the weight represented by said second signal, and means for summing the pulses in said train and providing a read-out that is a function of said summation.
 1. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for developing a first digital signal that is representative of the weight of an unknown number of said pieces in a lot, means for developing a second digital signal that is representative of the weight of a known number of said pieces, means receiving said first and second signals and providing predetermined digital comparisons involving said first and second signals for producing a serial pulse train in which the number of pulses is substantially proportional to the quotient of the weight represented by said first signal divided by the weight represented by said second signal, and means for summing the pulses in said train and providing a read-out that is a function of said summation.
 2. The piece counting system defined in claim 1 including means for preventing said pulse train producing means from producing said pulses whenever said second signal is less than a pre-selected value.
 3. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, first means for weighing a lot of said pieces in which the number of pieces is to be determined and for producing a first electrical signal that is representative of the weight of said lot, second means for weighing a known, pre-selected number of one or more of said pieces and for producing a second electrical signal that is representative of the weight of said known number of pieces, circuit means, programming means for selectively and optionally producing a plurality of different predetermined electrical signals respectively representing a plurality of different pre-selected numbers and for applying an selected one of said predetermined signals to said circuit means, said circuit means responsive to said first signal, said second signal and the selected one of said plurality of different predetermined signals to supply an output that is representative of the number of pieces in said lot when the selected number of pieces making up said known number of pieces corresponds to the pre-selected number represented by the selected one of said plurality of different predetermined signals, and selectively operated means for optionally conditioning said circuit means for alternatively providing said output with a value that is representative of the sum of the number of pieces in said lot anD the pre-selected number that corresponds to the selected one of said predetermined signals that is applied to said circuit means.
 4. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for producing an electrical signal that has a value which is representative of the quotient of the weight of an unknown number of said pieces in a gross lot divided by the weight of a known, pre-selected number of one or more of said pieces, selectively operable means for optionally selecting different pre-selected numbers, and circuit means operatively connected to said electrical signal producing means and to said selectively operable means, said circuit means having the mathematical effect of multiplying the quotient-representing value of said electrical signal by the optionally selected one of said different pre-selected numbers to provide a read-out of the number of pieces in at least said gross lot when the number of pieces making up said known, pre-selected number of said pieces is the same as the optionally selected one of said different numbers that said quotient-representing value is multiplied by.
 5. The piece counting system defined in claim 4 wherein said electrical signal is in the form of a pulse train in which the number of pulses is substantially proportional to said quotient, and wherein said circuit means comprises counter means for counting in said pulses.
 6. The piece counting system defined in claim 5 wherein said counter means is operatively connected to said selectively operable means to provide an output representing the number of counted pulses multiplied by the selected one of said different pre-selected numbers.
 7. The piece counting system defined in claim 5 wherein said selectively operable means is connected to said counter means for preloading said counter means to provide an output that represents the selected one of said different predetermined numbers before said pulse train is supplied to counted in by said counter means.
 8. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for weighing a lot of said pieces and for producing a first electrical signal that is representative of the weight of said lot, means for producing a second electrical signal that is representative of the weight of a selected, known number of said pieces, circuit means responsive to said first and second signals for providing a read-out of the number of pieces in said lot, and means for selectively conditioning said circuit means to alternatively provide a readout of the sum of the number of said known pieces and the number of pieces in said lot when the number of said known pieces in any of a plurality of different pre-selected numbers.
 9. In a weighing system having first and second weighing means for respectively producing first and second electrical analog signals that are functions of loads applied to said first and second weighing means respectively, an analog-to-digital converter for converting an electrical analog signal supplied to its input into a digital signal, first and second digital signal storage means connected to the output of said converter for receiving the converted digital signals supplied by said converter, and control means for (a) alternately and cyclically applying said first and second analog signals to the input of said converter, (b) controlling said first storage means to store the converter-produced digital signals corresponding to said first analog signal but not the converter-produced digital signals corresponding to said second analog signal, and (c) for controlling said second storage means to store the converter-produced digital signals corresponding to said second analog signal but not the converter-produced digital signals corresponding to said first analog signal.
 10. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for developing a first electrical signal that is representative of the weight of an unknown number of said pieces in a lot, means for developing a second electrical signal that is representative of a known number of said pieces, means under the control of said first and second signals for developing a third electrical signal that is representative of the number of pieces in said lot, means for separately and electrically storing said first, second, and third signals in the form of data, data read-out means for providing a read-out of data supplied to the input thereof, and data selector means operatively connected to said means for storing said first, second, and third signals and to said data read-out means for selectively controlling the data input to said read-out means to provide for the optional read-out of said first, second, and third stored signals.
 11. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means including a first weighing apparatus for weighing an unknown number of said pieces and for developing an electrical signal that is representative of the weight of said unknown number of pieces, means including a second weighing apparatus for weighing a known number of pieces and for developing a second electrical signal that is representative of said known number of pieces, first circuit means under the control of said first and second signals and having the mathematical effect of dividing said weight of said unknown number of pieces by the weight of said known number of pieces to provide a third signal that is representative of the quotient of said division, means responsive to said third signal for providing a read-out of number of pieces applied to said first weighing apparatus, and second circuit means controlling said first circuit means for preventing said first circuit means to effect said division in response to a value of said second signal that is representative of zero weight.
 12. The piece counting system defined in claim 11 comprising means for selectively overriding the control of said first circuit means by said second circuit means, and means providing an indication whenever the weight represented by said second signal is less than a predetermined value.
 13. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weight in a given lot, means including a weighing apparatus for weighing an unknown number of said pieces and for producing an electrical signal that is indicative of the weight of said unknown number of pieces, means for producing an electrical signal that is indicative of a known number of said pieces, a circuit responsive to said first and second signals for developing an electrical digital signal that is indicative of the number of pieces weighed by said weighing apparatus, said first signal being varied by variations in the weight applied to said weighing apparatus to cause variations in the value of said digital signal, signal storage circuit means receiving said digital signal and having a memory that is capable of being opened and closed, said signal storage circuit means being operative upon closure of said memory to store a memorization of said digital signal at that value that it possessed when the memory was closed, and said signal storage circuit means being further operative upon opening said memory to up-date the value of the stored signal to correspond with existant value of the digital signal developed by signal responsive circuit, means responsive to variations in said first signal for preventing said memory from closing, and means controlled by the signal stored by said signal storage circuit means for displaying the number indicated by the value of the stored signal.
 14. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for developing a first digital signal having a first numerical value that is representative of the weight of an unknown numbEr of said pieces in a lot, means for developing a second digital signal having a second numerical value that is representative of the weight of a known number of said pieces, counter means, means under the control of said first and second digital signals for recurrently advancing the count in said counter means from a predetermined starting count to coincidence with said second numerical value and for producing a pulse each time coincidence is reached until the summation of counts that said counter means has been advanced by becomes equal to or greater than said first numerical value, and means for counting said pulses.
 15. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for developing a first digital signal having a first numerical value that is representative of the weight of an unknown number of said pieces in a lot, means for developing a second digital signal having a second numerical value that is representative of a known number of said pieces, counter means providing a third digital signal having a numerical value that is capable of being increased from a pre-selected value to coincidence with said second numerical value, means for increasing the numerical value of said third signal, comparator means for comparing said second and third digital signals, means under the control of the comparison provided by said comparator means and of said first digital signal for producing a pulse and for resetting said third digital signal to said pre-selected value each time coincidence is reached between said second numerical value and the numerical value of said third digital signal until the summation of the numerical values by which said third digital signal is increased becomes at least equal to said first numerical value, and means for counting said pulses.
 16. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for developing a first digital signal having a first numerical value that is representative of the weight of an unknown number of said pieces in a lot, means for developing a second digital signal having a second numerical value that is representative of the weight of a known number of said pieces, first counter means providing a third digital signal having a third numerical value that is capable of being increased from a pre-selected value to coincidence with said second numerical value, means for increasing the numerical value of said third digital signal, first comparator means for comparing said second and third digital signals, means under the control of the comparison provided by said first comparator means for producing a pulse and for resetting said third digital signal to said pre-selected value each time coincidence is reached between said second and third numerical values, second counter means providing a summation of the increases in said third numerical value, second comparator means for comparing said first numerical value with the summation provided by said second counter means, and means under the control of the comparison provided by said second comparator means for terminating the production of said pulses when the summation provided by said second counter means becomes at least equal to said first numerical value.
 17. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for developing a first digital signal having a first numerical value that is indicative of the weight of said given lot, means for developing a second digital signal having a second numerical value that is indicative of the weight of a known number of said pieces, first and second counter means, means under the control of said first and second signals for (a) advancing the count in said first counter means from a pre-selected starting count to coincidence with said first numerical value, (b) advancing the count in said second counter means from a pre-selected starting count to coincidence with said second numerical value, (c) resetting said second counter means to its starting count each time the count in said second counter means reaches coincidence with said second numerical value, and (d) producing a pulse each time coincidence is reached between the count in said second counter means and said second numerical value until the count in said first counter means becomes at least equal to said first numerical value, and means for counting said pulses.
 18. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means for developing a first digital signal having a first numerical value that is indicative of the weight of said lot, means for developing a second digital signal having a second numerical value that is indicative of the weight of a known number of said pieces, means for producing a train of first pulses, first and second counter means connected to receive said pulse train for concomitantly counting said pulses, first digital comparator means connected to said first counter means and to said second signal developing means for digitally comparing the said second signal with the number of pulses counted by said first counter means, means under the control of the comparison provided by said first digital comparator means (a) for resetting said first counter means to a pre-selected starting count each time the number of pulses counted by said first counter means reaches coincidence with said second numerical value and (b) for producing an output pulse each time coincidence is reached between said second numerical value and the number of pulses counted by said first counter means, second digital comparator means connected to said second counter means and to said first signal developing means for digitally comparing said first signal with the number of pulses counted by said second counter means, means under the control of the comparison provided by said second digital comparator means for terminating the production of said output pulses when the number of pulses counted by said second counter means becomes at least equal to said first numerical value, and means for counting said output pulses and for providing a numerical read-out that is a function of the counted number of said output pulses.
 19. In a piece counting system for determining the number of pieces having substantially equal weights in a given lot, means including a weighing apparatus for weighing said given lot and for producing a first digital electrical signal that is indicative of the weight of said given lot, means for producing a second digital electrical signal that is indicative of the weight of a known number of said pieces, circuit means responsive to said first and second signals for producing a third digital electrical signal that is indicative of the number of the pieces at least in said given lot, means responsive to said third signal for displaying the number of pieces indicated by said third signal, said first signal being varied by variations in the weight of the pieces on said weighing apparatus, and means forming a part of said circuit means and being responsive to the variations of said first signal in either direction during a predetermined period to up-date the value of said third signal, said displaying means being responsive to the up-dating of the value of said third signal to up-date the display of the number corresponding with the up-dated value of said third signal. 